Green Card Renewal Drama: Delayed Issuance of I-751 Receipt Notices by California Service Center (CS

Individuals who have submitted their Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, should receive a petition receipt roughly 3-5 weeks after filing. The receipt letter is known as Form I-797c, a Notice of Action as a filing receipt. Obtaining the I-797c will allow individuals to maintain conditional residence while their case is being reviewed for one year while awaiting their permanent green cards. The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) stated that receipt notices have yet to be received for petitions that were submitted back in the beginning of April 2018.

AILA has recently contacted USCIS California Regional Service Center on the issue of delays and requested further information. The CSC has confirmed that there has been an affluent amount of delays with data entry and the filing of I-751 petitions beginning in April and timing issues are being addressed. Beginning Monday, May 14th, 2018, the CSC began filing I-751 petitions starting with the ones that came in first beginning in April.

Many conditional residents are concerned with these processing delays because of their need for evidence to prove legal status in the United States. Their ability to work and travel also depends on maintaining status and having proof of residence. If a conditional resident has a case that has been pending for longer than their one-year extension of their conditional resident card they may obtain an I-1551 stamp on their passport.

An I-551 stamp will give individuals a further extension on their conditional status. To do this, individuals should make an InfoPass Appointment with USCIS and bring their ID, valid passport, appointment notice, and receipt notice. If no appointments are available, USCIS should provide a stamp on an emergency and walk-in basis. To prove current residence, individuals should keep their expired green card and receipt letter once it is obtained.

According to the CSC, receipt notices should be sent out soon. There will be a date stamped on applicants I-751 petitions representing the date that it was received and will also be reflected on the corresponding receipt. The CSC advised applicants not to file duplicate petitions so that no further confusion is created. More updates are to come on the issuance of I-751 receipts. If you have any questions regarding the status of your Form I-751 and current status please contact Attorney Nicholas Mireles at NicholasMireleslegal@gmail.com.